Norway contributes NOK 400 million to Syria
Press release | Date: 17/03/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway will contribute at least NOK 400 million (approximately € 35 million) to Syria this year. The funds will finance humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of infrastructure, including water supply, electricity, and healthcare.
Norway’s support is announced at an international donor conference hosted by the EU in Brussels today, where State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik is participating on behalf of Norway.
‘Syria stands at a crossroads. It is crucial to give the Syrian transitional authorities the opportunity to succeed. This is vital for the long-suffering Syrian population and for stability across the Middle East. Developments in Syria also have significant implications for Europe. At this critical stage, the international community must provide both financial support and capacity-building assistance to Syria’, said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
After 14 years of civil war and decades of oppressive and authoritarian rule, the situation in Syria remains dire. 90% of the population lives below the poverty line. 70% of the population depends on humanitarian aid. More than seven million Syrians are internally displaced. Large parts of the country’s infrastructure and public services, including water supply, electricity, healthcare, and schools, have been destroyed.
‘There is much that could go wrong in Syria in the coming months. It is essential that Syrians themselves lead the transition process. The transitional government must be inclusive, the security situation must improve, and the rights of all Syrians must be safeguarded. It is crucial that international sanctions are lifted’, said the Foreign Minister.
Following the violent clashes in Western Syria on 8–9 March, which reportedly claimed the lives of several hundred civilians, Foreign Minister Eide expressed deep concern and emphasised the need to protect civilians.
For several years, Norway has been a significant donor to the Syrian people and has followed developments in the country closely. Both Foreign Minister Eide and State Secretary Kravik have visited Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in December last year.
In conjunction with today’s conference, Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust announced that Norway has also contributed an additional NOK 49 million (approximately € 4,3 million) to purchase wheat flour from Ukraine, which has been sent to Syria.
‘Through our support for the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ programme, we are helping to combat hunger in Syria while also ensuring that food produced in Ukraine reaches the global market’, said Minister of International Development Aukrust.